Inflatable pillow with game board

ABSTRACT

A play device in the form of a flexible envelope inflatable into a functional pillow and having at least a portion of its walls transparent. The envelope encloses a rigid game board and one or more play or game pieces which may be positioned or moved relative to the board by manipulating the inflated pillow to effect play of the game.

United States Patent Inventor A. Eddy Goldl'arb 19434 Londelius St.,Northrldge, Calif. 91324 Appl. No. 807,177

Filed Mar. 14, 1969 Patented Nov. 30, 1971 INFLATABLE PILLOW WITH GAMEBOARD 14 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 273/109, 273/126. 206/46 AM. 273/136 C Int. Cl A63b 67/14 Field01 Search 273/109,

Primary Examiner- Richard C Pinkham Assistant ExaminerTheatrice BrownAllorney-Robert M. Ashen ABSTRACT: A play device in the form of aflexible envelope inflatable into a functional pillow and having atleast a portion of its walls transparent. The envelope encloses a rigidgame board and one or more play or game pieces which may be positionedor moved relative to the board by manipulating the inflated pillow toeffect play of the game.

INFLATABLE PILLOW WITH GAME BOARD While manipulative play devices per seare not new, they have generally been small hand-size items and havegenerally lacked any added utilitarian function or feature, being solelyan amusement device.

The illustrated embodiments of the present invention are in the form ofan inflated transparent pillow containing a game board and one or moregame or play pieces movable relative to the game board throughmanipulation of the pillow to effect play of the game. In addition tobeing also usable as a pillow, the device may provide an unusual andattractive appearance, so that it can be used as a decorative piece or acollectors item. Various sizes, shapes, contours, colors, etc. may be imparted to the pillow, board and/or pieces to appeal to wide range oftastes and age groups.

The board and pillo'w are desirably so constructed that when the pillowis inflated, the board is thereby positioned and retained centrally ofthe pillow without additional securing or retaining means. Thisconstruction provides particular ease and economy in the manufacture andfabrication of the item. Further, both sides of the board are madeavailable for play surfaces. The 'parts of the game are all kepttogether in one place and cannot be lost. Small children are protectedfrom sharp edges and from the temptation to put the play pieces intotheir mouths. The device may be deflated for easy, compact shipment orstorage.

In a broad aspect, the illustrated play device comprises the combinationof an envelope of flexible material and inflatable into a functionalpillow, at least a portion of the envelope being transparent, a boardwithin the envelope, and one or more play or game pieces within theenvelope and movable by manipulation of the envelope to selectively movethe piece relative to the game board.

In a narrower aspect, the illustrated play devicetakes the form of anenvelope inflatable into a functional pillow and fabricated from mattingflexible sheets of like shape that have a plurality of generallystraight-line edges. The sheets are joined together at matting edges toform a sealed envelope. In this form, the envelope encloses one or moregame or play pieces and a generally flat rigid game board having meanson one or both sides for contact or interengagement with the gamepieces, One or both sheets, or portions thereof, are transparent topermit a view of the game board and pieces. When the envelope isinflated, each theretofore straight-line edge of the envelope assumes aconcave configuration. The edges of the game board are concave and arearranged to match those of the inflated envelope. When the envelope isinflated, the board is positioned and maintained, without addedpositioning or holding means, centrally of the envelope with space forgame pieces and play of a game on either side of the board. Thus, aswell as functioning as an inflated pillow, the envelope may bemanipulated to position or move'the game pieces relative to or along thegame board in accordance with the objective of the game.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a play device comprising a preferred embodimentof the present invention, with the pillow in deflated condition;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the device shown in FIG. I, but with thepillow in inflated condition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse section taken generally along the plane3-3 of FIG. 1, but with the pillow in an inflated condition; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an additional embodiment of the invention, withthe pillow in deflated condition.

As shown in FIGS. I through 3 of the drawings, a preferred form of playdevice includes generally an envelope 12 of a clear, flexible plasticmaterial which may be inflated into a pillow and contains a game board14. The envelope 12 also contains movable game or play pieces 16 such asballs. The game is played by manipulating the inflated pillow toposition or moving the game pieces 16 relative to the game board I4 soas to attain a game objective.

Now, considering the play device 10 in further detail, the inflatableenvelope 12 may be made in various selected ways. In the illustratedpreferred embodiment, the envelope 12 is fabricated from two identicalsections 18 and 20 of clear ther moplastic sheet material, the sectionsbeing joined together along then corresponding edges as by heat sealing.For ease and economy of manufacture, the illustrated sections 18 and 20are each made from flat sheet material, and are each configured withfour straight-line edges 22', 24', 26 and 28' defining a square as shownin FIG. 1. This facilitates cutting the sections 18, 20 and heat sealingtheir edges together. As shown in FIG. 1, the resulting envelope 12 hasstraight edges or sides 22, 24, 26 and 28 arranged in a square. When theenvelope 12 so formed is inflated, each envelope edge 22, 24, 26 and 28assumes a concave shape as shown in FIG. 2. As will be explained morefully below, the game board 14 is designed to coact with the edges ofthe envelope 12.

The sections 18, 20 may have any suitable shape. FIGS. 1 and 2 showsquare sections, while FIG. 4 shows an octagon shaped section. Thesections might be designed to represent objects or characters.

It will be appreciated that the entire envelope need not be transparentor clear. For example, in the illustrated configuration, one of thesections 18, 20 may be clear plastic, while the other is opaque ortranslucent. Similarly, portions of a section may be transparent, whilethe remainder is opaque or translucent. It is only required that someportion of the envelope be transparent to permit the user of the pillowgame to see the interior of the envelope to permit him to play the game.A suitable valve, such as is well known in the art, and indicatedgenerally at 30, may be provided for inflating the envelope.

The pillow, when inflated, may be of substantial size so that it isusable as an ordinary pillow of this type. Desirably, the pillow willhave at least one dimension that is 12 inches or more in length.

The illustrated game board 14 is generally flat and corresponding inshape and size to the inflated envelope 12. Thus, the board shown inFIGS. 1 through 3 is generally square to match the generally squareshape of envelope 12. The board should be generally rigid andshape-retaining. The game board may be conveniently formed of one ormore blow-molded, injection molded, or vacuum formed plastic sections(or a combination thereof) to provide the desired surface contour orshape. For example, each playing surface of the play board may be formedwith suitable game piece-engaging means such as recesses, pockets,channels, pathways, grooves, bais relief, obstacles, barricades, etc.,and with various decorative appearances. The board may have such contouron one or both sides. It might also be made by othersuitable techniquesor of wood, metal, cardboard or any other suitable material. Theillustrated board 14 has upright walls 29 on one side defining a pathwayfor a play piece in the form of a ball 16 and frustoconical projections29' on the opposite side for receiving play pieces in the form of rings16.

As described above and shown in FIG. 2, the edges of 22, 24, 26 and 28of the envelope l2 assume a concave configuration when the envelope isinflated. To accommodate and coact with the erivelope 12, the edges 32,35, 36 and 38 of the game board 14 are each concave. Each time theenvelope is inflated, the board is automatically positioned and retainedgenerally centrally of the envelope with the concave edges 32, 34, 36and 38 of the board aligned with the corresponding edges of the envelope22, 24, 26 and 28 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. There is no need for eitherseparate positioning or retaining means to locate or hold the board inplace.

A convenient and economical method of fabricating the illustrated pillowgame is to seal the sections 18, 20 together along some but not alledges. The game board 14 and the game pieces 16 may then be insertedinto the partially formed envelope, and the remaining edge may besealed. The game board 14 and the game pieces 16 are thereby retainedwithin the envelope 12, which is thereby sealed for inflation.

As noted above, the illustrated game pieces 16 and 16' are in the formof balls and rings respectively. The game pieces may take other selectedforms or configurations. To play the game, the envelope 12 is inflatedby use of the valve 30. The envelope is then manipulated to move thegame pieces 16 relative to the board 14 to physically interact withmeans on the board to achieve a game objective. By way of example, theball 16 may be rolled along the pathway between the walls 29 or therings 16' may be hooked over selected projections 29' from the boardsurface. Games may be provided at either side of the board.

The illustrated preferred construction offers a further advantage inthat, when the envelope is deflated, the space between the concave edges32, 34, 36 and 38 of the game board and the edges 22, 24, 26 and 28 ofthe envelope may be used as a passageway for movement of game pieces ofsuitable size from one side of the board to the other. This permits agame to be played on either side of the board without duplicating gamepieces if this is desired.

In the alternate embodiment of pillow game a (FIG. 4), comprised ofenvelope 12a, board 140 and game pieces 16a, to permit passage of thegame pieces 16a from one side of the game board 14a to the other, theboard is provided with apertures 40b therethrough, each large enough toreceive the game piece. As a further alternative, the edge of the gameboard could be formed so as to provide a passageway in cooperation withthe envelope.

The illustrated pillow games, when deflated, are generally flat andcompact for storage, packaging and shipment. They also may be quitelight weight relative to their size.

Various modifications and changes may be made in the illustrated gameswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

1 claim:

I. A play device comprising, in combination, an envelope of flexiblematerial and inflatable into a functional pillow, at least a portion ofsaid envelope being transparent, a board within the envelope, said boardand said envelope having relative dimensions such that at least acertain portion of the perimeter of the board is spatially disposed fromsaid envelope when said envelope is deflated,

the board being held in a fixed position within the envelope when theenvelope is inflated, by means of interaction between said envelope andat least a portion of the perimeter of said board,

one or more play pieces within the envelope and movable by manipulationof the envelope to selectively move the play piece relative to theboard, and means on one side of said board defining an objective forinteraction with play pieces moving over said side.

2. A play device as defined in claim 1 wherein said board includes meanson at least one surface for physically interacting with the play pieceincident to movement of the piece.

3. A play device as defined in claim 2 wherein said envelope is at leastabout l2 inches across in at least one dimension and includes valvemeans operable to permit selective inflating and deflating of theenvelope.

4. A play device as defined in claim 2 wherein said means forinteracting with the play piece are provided on both sides of said boardand said board includes means defining at least one passagewaytherethrough large enough to accommodate said play piece and permit itto pass from one side of the board to the other.

5. A play device as defined in claim 1 wherein said envelope isconstructed of two sheets of flexible material, said sheets each havingthe same shape and having edges defining straight lines when said sheetsare flat and the envelope is deflated, said sheets being joined togetheralong matching edges so that said joined edges each assume a concaveconfiguration when said envelope is inflated, said board being generallyrigid and having concave edges which provide a perimeter that generallyconforms to the joined concave edges of the sheets when the envelope isinflated, whereby the board is located and retained in position withoutadditional locating or posi tioning means when the envelope is inflated.

6. A play device as defined in claim 4, wherein said sheets are ofthermoplastic material and are joined along matching edges by a heatseal.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the relative dimensions of saidenvelope and said board are such that said envelope generally conformsto and matches the perimeter of said board when inflated. v

8. A play device comprising, in combination, an envelope of flexiblematerial, and inflatable into a functional pillow, at least a portion ofsaid envelope being transparent, and a board within the envelope, saidboard and said envelope having relative dimensions such that at least acertain portion of the perimeter of the board is spatially disposed fromsaid envelope when said envelope is deflated,

the board being held in a fixed position within the envelope when theenvelope is inflated, by means of interaction between said envelope andat least a portion of the perimeter of said board, I

said board being generally planar and provided with means for physicallyinteracting with one or more movable play pieces which may be receivedwithin the envelope, whereby said envelope may be manipulated forselectively moving a play piece relative to said board.

9. A play device as defined in claim 8 wherein said envelope is at least12 inches across in at least one dimension and includes closable valvemeans operable to permit selective inflating and deflating of theenvelope.

10. A play device as defined in claim 8 wherein said envelope isconstructed of two sheets of flexible material, said sheets each havingthe same shape and having edges defining straight lines when said sheetsare flat and the envelope is deflated, said sheets being joined togetheralong matching edges so that said joined edges each assume a concaveconfiguration when said envelope is inflated, said board being generallyrigid and having concave edges which provide a perimeter that generallyconforms to the joined concave edges of the sheets when the envelope isinflated, whereby the board is located and retained in position withoutadditional locating or positioning means when the envelope is inflated.

l 1. A play device as defined in claim 10, wherein said sheets are ofthermoplastic material and are joined along matching edges by a heatseal.

12. The play device of claim 8 wherein the relative dimensions of saidenvelope and said board are such that said envelope generally conformsto and matches the perimeter of said board when inflated.

13. A play device comprising, in combination, an envelope of flexiblematerial and inflatable into a functional pillow, at least a portion ofsaid envelope being transparent, a board within said envelope, saidboard and envelope having relative dimensions such that the board ispositioned and maintained in a predetermined fixed relationship relativeto said envelope by said envelope when it is inflated, by means ofinteraction between said envelope and at least a portion of theperimeter of the board,

and one or more play pieces within the envelope and movable bymanipulation of the envelope to selectively move the play piece relativeto the board.

14. A device comprising:

an inflated enclosed envelope of flexible transparent material, a boarddisposed within said envelope,

said board and said envelope having relative dimensions such that atleast a certain portion of the perimeter of the board is spatiallydisposed from said envelope when said envelope is deflated,

the board being held in a fixed position within the envelope when theenvelope is inflated, by means of interaction between said envelope andat least a portion of the perimeter of said board.

i l I I

1. A play device comprising, in combination, an envelope of flexiblematerial and inflatable into a functional pillow, at least a portion ofsaid envelope being transparent, a board within the envelope, said boardand said envelope having relative dimensions such that at least acertain portion of the perimeter of the board is spatially disposed fromsaid envelope when said envelope is deflated, the board being held in afixed position within the envelope when the envelope is inflated, bymeans of interaction between said envelope and at least a portion of theperimeter of said board, one or more play pieces within the envelope andmovable by manipulation of the envelope to selectively move the playpiece relative to the board, and means on one side of said boarddefining an objeCtive for interaction with play pieces moving over saidside.
 2. A play device as defined in claim 1 wherein said board includesmeans on at least one surface for physically interacting with the playpiece incident to movement of the piece.
 3. A play device as defined inclaim 2 wherein said envelope is at least about 12 inches across in atleast one dimension and includes valve means operable to permitselective inflating and deflating of the envelope.
 4. A play device asdefined in claim 2 wherein said means for interacting with the playpiece are provided on both sides of said board and said board includesmeans defining at least one passageway therethrough large enough toaccommodate said play piece and permit it to pass from one side of theboard to the other.
 5. A play device as defined in claim 1 wherein saidenvelope is constructed of two sheets of flexible material, said sheetseach having the same shape and having edges defining straight lines whensaid sheets are flat and the envelope is deflated, said sheets beingjoined together along matching edges so that said joined edges eachassume a concave configuration when said envelope is inflated, saidboard being generally rigid and having concave edges which provide aperimeter that generally conforms to the joined concave edges of thesheets when the envelope is inflated, whereby the board is located andretained in position without additional locating or positioning meanswhen the envelope is inflated.
 6. A play device as defined in claim 4,wherein said sheets are of thermoplastic material and are joined alongmatching edges by a heat seal.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein therelative dimensions of said envelope and said board are such that saidenvelope generally conforms to and matches the perimeter of said boardwhen inflated.
 8. A play device comprising, in combination, an envelopeof flexible material, and inflatable into a functional pillow, at leasta portion of said envelope being transparent, and a board within theenvelope, said board and said envelope having relative dimensions suchthat at least a certain portion of the perimeter of the board isspatially disposed from said envelope when said envelope is deflated,the board being held in a fixed position within the envelope when theenvelope is inflated, by means of interaction between said envelope andat least a portion of the perimeter of said board, said board beinggenerally planar and provided with means for physically interacting withone or more movable play pieces which may be received within theenvelope, whereby said envelope may be manipulated for selectivelymoving a play piece relative to said board.
 9. A play device as definedin claim 8 wherein said envelope is at least 12 inches across in atleast one dimension and includes closable valve means operable to permitselective inflating and deflating of the envelope.
 10. A play device asdefined in claim 8 wherein said envelope is constructed of two sheets offlexible material, said sheets each having the same shape and havingedges defining straight lines when said sheets are flat and the envelopeis deflated, said sheets being joined together along matching edges sothat said joined edges each assume a concave configuration when saidenvelope is inflated, said board being generally rigid and havingconcave edges which provide a perimeter that generally conforms to thejoined concave edges of the sheets when the envelope is inflated,whereby the board is located and retained in position without additionallocating or positioning means when the envelope is inflated.
 11. A playdevice as defined in claim 10, wherein said sheets are of thermoplasticmaterial and are joined along matching edges by a heat seal.
 12. Theplay device of claim 8 wherein the relative dimensions of said envelopeand said board are such that said envelope generally conforms to andmatches the perimeter of said board when inflated.
 13. A play devicecomPrising, in combination, an envelope of flexible material andinflatable into a functional pillow, at least a portion of said envelopebeing transparent, a board within said envelope, said board and envelopehaving relative dimensions such that the board is positioned andmaintained in a predetermined fixed relationship relative to saidenvelope by said envelope when it is inflated, by means of interactionbetween said envelope and at least a portion of the perimeter of theboard, and one or more play pieces within the envelope and movable bymanipulation of the envelope to selectively move the play piece relativeto the board.
 14. A device comprising: an inflated enclosed envelope offlexible transparent material, a board disposed within said envelope,said board and said envelope having relative dimensions such that atleast a certain portion of the perimeter of the board is spatiallydisposed from said envelope when said envelope is deflated, the boardbeing held in a fixed position within the envelope when the envelope isinflated, by means of interaction between said envelope and at least aportion of the perimeter of said board.